Democratic House candidate Kat Abughazaleh indicted over ICE confrontation

Democratic congressional candidate Kat Abughazaleh is facing federal charges for allegedly impeding an Immigration and Customs Enforcement operation. The indictment, obtained by Axios, charges Abughazaleh and five others with hindering and impeding ICE officers. This incident occurred during an anti-ICE protest last month in suburban Chicago. Prosecutors allege the defendants blocked an ICE vehicle, banging on it and pushing against it to impede its movement. They are also accused of scratching the vehicle and damaging its mirrors and windshield wipers. Abughazaleh, a progressive candidate, characterized the charges as a political prosecution aimed at silencing dissent. Her primary opponent, Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss, described the protest as nonviolent and called for the charges to be dropped. Abughazaleh stated that she and others were exercising their First Amendment rights, while ICE had used force against protesters. She suggested the Trump administration intends to intimidate people from speaking out against its policies. Viral video from the protest appears to show her being pushed to the ground by an ICE officer.